Floor crunches have a funny way of working your neck harder than your abs. But once you’re standing, your neck finally gets to sit this one out.
That’s the idea behind this standing abs workout for women, which fits 15 exercises into just 10 minutes.
Plus, you’ll work your side waist, front abs, and lower belly without any equipment. So clear a little space, stand tall, and let’s take the first move nice and slow!
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Slide Crunch
Your side waist goes first in this standing ab workout, and the pace is slow on purpose.
It’s a stretch and a crunch rolled into one, since one side opens up while the other squeezes.
So don’t rush, because momentum loves to take over here.
How to perform:
- Stand with your feet wider than hip-width apart, toes slightly out.
- Raise your left arm straight up overhead.
- Rest your right hand on the outside of your right thigh.
- Bend your torso sideways to the right.
- Slide your right hand down your right leg toward your knee.
- Keep your left arm reaching up and over as you bend.
- Squeeze your side waist to pull yourself back up to standing.
- Continue sliding down and up for the full interval.
- Switch sides and repeat with your right arm overhead.
Twist Crunch
Now that your sides are warm, you’ll add a knee lift and a twist.
That’s a lot of moving parts, so it may feel clumsy for the first few reps.
Stick with it, though, because your whole waist gets involved once the rhythm clicks.
How to perform:
- Stand with your feet wider than hip-width apart.
- Clasp your hands together straight above your head.
- Lift your right knee up and out to the side.
- Twist your torso toward that lifted knee.
- Bring your clasped hands down toward the outside of your knee.
- Lower your foot and return your hands overhead.
- Repeat on the left side with your left knee.
- Keep alternating sides for the full interval.
Knee Tuck Crunches
Like crunches but hate lying on the floor? This is the same idea, just upright.
It goes straight for the front of your abs, which the first two moves mostly skipped.
And after that last one, the simple pattern will feel like a relief.
How to perform:
- Stand tall with your feet about hip-width apart.
- Place both hands behind your head, elbows pointing out wide.
- Lift your right knee straight up toward your chest.
- Crunch your elbows and chest down toward the rising knee.
- Lower your foot back to the floor and stand tall.
- Lift your left knee and crunch down toward it.
- Keep alternating knees at a steady pace for the full interval.
Side Crunch Combo
Here’s where things get busier, since it’s really two moves back to back.
The crunch tightens your side abs, and the kick brings your outer hip into it.
Your standing leg does a lot here too, so expect it to tire first.
How to perform:
- Stand with your feet a little wider than hip-width apart.
- Place your left hand on your hip.
- Raise your right arm straight up overhead.
- Lift your right knee up and out to the side.
- Bend your right elbow down to meet the right knee.
- Tap your right foot back down and reach your arm up.
- Kick your right leg straight out to the side.
- Extend your right arm out to the side at the same time.
- Repeat the combo for the full interval, then switch sides.
Toe Taps
This is one of those standing ab exercises that sneak in a hamstring stretch, which is a nice bonus.
But your abs still crunch on every reach, so it’s no rest break.
And if your toes feel miles away, just reach for your shin instead.
How to perform:
- Stand with your feet hip-width apart.
- Place both hands behind your head.
- Raise your left arm straight up overhead.
- Kick your right leg up straight in front of you.
- Bring your left hand down to tap your right toes.
- Lower your leg and return your hand behind your head.
- Repeat with your right arm and left leg.
- Keep alternating sides for the full interval.
Cross Crunches
You’ll stay on one side here, so the work adds up fast.
The reach across your body is what works your obliques, and that’s why the twist matters so much.
Plus, the tap between reps gives you a second to reset your balance.
How to perform:
- Stand tall with your feet about hip-width apart.
- Place your left hand behind your head.
- Rest your right hand on your right hip.
- Tap your right foot out to the side.
- Lift your right knee up and across your body.
- Twist and bring your left elbow down toward that knee.
- Tap your right foot back out to the side.
- Repeat for the full interval, then switch sides.
Rotation Crunches
Both feet stay planted here, so your balance finally gets a break.
Your waist doesn’t, though, because every bit of the twist comes from your middle.
It looks easy, but slow it down and you’ll feel why it’s here.
How to perform:
- Stand with your feet wide and toes turned out.
- Bend your knees slightly and keep your hips facing forward.
- Bend both elbows and stack your forearms in front of your chest.
- Rotate your upper body to the right.
- Rotate back through center and over to the left.
- Keep your hips and legs still as your torso twists.
- Keep rotating side to side for the full interval.
Plié Hold Side Crunch
Okay, your legs join in now, since a plié is just a wide ballet squat.
Holding it means your thighs work the entire time, and your sides don’t get off easy either.
So if the shaking starts, come up an inch and carry on.
How to perform:
- Step your feet wide with your toes turned out.
- Bend your knees and lower into a wide squat.
- Hold this low squat position for the whole set.
- Place both hands behind your head.
- Bend your torso sideways to the right.
- Reach your right hand down toward your right ankle.
- Return to center and bring your hand back to your head.
- Repeat on the left, alternating sides for the full interval.
Plié Hold Cross Crunch
Yes, you’re staying low for another round, but now you’ll twist instead of bend.
That one change spreads the work across your whole core, which is why these two are paired up.
Your legs will be tired by now, so breathe and stay with it.
How to perform:
- Step your feet wide with your toes turned out.
- Bend your knees and lower into a wide squat.
- Hold this low squat position for the whole set.
- Place both hands behind your head, elbows wide.
- Twist your torso and bring your right elbow toward your left knee.
- Return to center with your chest lifted.
- Twist and bring your left elbow toward your right knee.
- Keep alternating sides for the full interval.
Knee Tuck Push Down
There’s no equipment in this standing core workout, so you’ll make your own resistance instead.
Because your hand and knee push against each other, your abs have to brace hard.
It’s a small detail, but it’s why this feels nothing like a regular knee lift.
How to perform:
- Stand on your left leg with a slight bend in the knee.
- Place your right hand on your right hip.
- Step your right foot back on a diagonal and tap the floor.
- Reach your left arm forward and down as your leg goes back.
- Drive your right knee up in front of your body.
- Push your left hand down on top of the rising knee.
- Step your right foot back to tap again.
- Repeat for the full interval, then switch sides.
Rainbows
The name makes sense once you see the big arc your leg draws in the air.
Your lower abs do the lifting, and your hips loosen up along the way.
Just start with a small arc, since control matters more than height.
How to perform:
- Stand tall with your feet together.
- Place both hands behind your head, elbows wide.
- Shift your weight onto your left leg.
- Lift your right knee up in front of your body.
- Sweep your right leg up and out to the side in an arc.
- Lower your right foot to tap the floor out wide.
- Sweep the leg back in along the same arc.
- Repeat for the full interval, then switch sides.
Crossed Wood Chopper
Time to pick up the pace, because this one is all about power.
You’ll trace a big X across your body, which pulls your shoulders, hips, and abs into one motion.
So expect to breathe a little harder, and that’s a good thing.
How to perform:
- Stand with your feet wider than hip-width apart.
- Clasp your hands together above your left shoulder.
- Chop your hands diagonally down across your body.
- Finish with your hands beside your right hip.
- Pivot on your left foot as your torso rotates.
- Swing your hands back up above your right shoulder.
- Chop diagonally down to the outside of your left hip.
- Keep alternating sides for the full interval.
Side Wood Chopper
You’ll keep the chopping idea going, but now the swing stays level instead of diagonal.
Since your arms never drop, your shoulders work right alongside your waist.
There’s not much to remember here, though, so put all your attention on the twist.
How to perform:
- Stand with your feet wider than hip-width apart.
- Extend both arms straight in front at chest height.
- Press your palms or fists together.
- Rotate your torso and swing your arms to the right.
- Pivot on your left foot as you turn.
- Swing back through center and over to the left.
- Pivot on your right foot as you turn left.
- Keep swinging side to side for the full interval.
Side Jackknife
You’re on the home stretch now, which means one last big squeeze for your sides.
Balance gets tested here, since an arm and a leg are moving at the same time.
And tipping over a little is normal, so laugh it off and reset.
How to perform:
- Stand tall with your feet together.
- Raise both arms straight up overhead.
- Lift your right leg straight out to the side.
- Lower your right arm down toward the lifted leg.
- Crunch your right side to bring them closer together.
- Return your foot to the floor and your arm overhead.
- Repeat on the left side.
- Keep alternating sides for the full interval.
Clap Under
Last one, and it’s a fun way to finish!
The clap sets a rhythm, which keeps your knees coming up high and your lower belly working.
And that’s the best part of stand up ab workouts, because you’re done without ever touching the floor.
How to perform:
- Stand tall with your feet hip-width apart.
- Extend both arms out wide to your sides.
- Lift your right knee up toward your chest.
- Bring both hands under your right thigh.
- Clap your hands together beneath the leg.
- Lower your foot and open your arms wide again.
- Repeat with your left knee.
- Keep alternating legs for the full interval.

Article Medically reviewed by
I’m fitness coach Ashley Castleberry, an NASM-certified personal trainer and nutritionist, as well as a coach on an established YouTube Channel with over 1 million followers. With certifications from major fitness brands, I specialize in athletic, HIIT, and strength training. Leveraging my experience coaching clients on lifestyle changes, I provide customized exercise and nutrition guidance to help people reach their fitness goals, whether that be weight loss, muscle gain or overall health improvement.

